Five Gold Coast Suns players under pressure to retain their place in the best 22 in 2019

GOLD Coast have revamped sections of its list hope of turning the tide on a difficult opening eight years in the AFL. The new faces may bring more wins on the field but their arrival could also cost some their spot in the best 22. Here are five who could find themselves battling in 2019.

GOLD Coast have revamped sections of its list hope of turning the tide on a difficult opening eight years in the AFL.

The new faces may bring more wins on the field but their arrival could also cost some their spot in the best 22.

Like every club, over 40 players have been battling to convince coaches they should be in the senior side.

Here are five Suns players who find themselves under pressure to retain their place in the team ahead of the 2019 season.

Aaron Young: The midfielder played all 22 games in his first year at the Suns in 2018, the first time the former Port Adelaide player has done so in his seven-year AFL career.

But the growth of the likes of Wil Powell, Ben Ainsworth and the arrival of recruits including George Horlin-Smith mean Young could find it difficult to break into the midfield or stacked forward line.

Harrison Marsh of the Swans and Aaron Young of the Suns compete for the ball during the round 18 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast Suns at Sydney Cricket Ground on July 21, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Young wasn’t selected in the opening JLT Series game against the Western Bulldogs and injured his ankle when he came on in the third quarter of the club’s second preseason game against Sydney in Lismore. It has put him out for the first couple of Rounds of the AFL season and he will need to build fitness and form to try and challenge for the best 22 again.

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Nick Holman: Another who arrived at the Suns in 2018 and instantly made an impact. Holman isn’t the classiest or best ball user but his work ethic, tackling ability and hunger to win a contest set the tone for many of the players around him.

The 23-year-old has been managing a back issue for some time and has only been back to training at full capacity this week.

Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara, on Thursday. Nick Holman . Picture: Jerad Williams

Suns officials have already stated he is expected to take some part in this weekend’s football action but the continuing competition for spots in the forward line will make it hard for Holman to keep playing regularly in the seniors.

Sam Day: One of the most reliable players when fit and one of only four foundation players left at the club alongside Rory Thompson, Jarrod Harbrow and captain David Swallow.

The swingman has recovered from the serious shoulder injury he suffered last year and the departure of Tom Lynch opened the door for him to fill the void left by the former captain alongside Peter Wright.

Gold Coast Suns training at Bond Uni fields. Photo of Sam Day. Photo by Richard Gosling

Many predicted him to walk into the role given his experience in a young side but the form of state-league recruit Chris Burgess has Day scrambling to get his spot back.

The uncapped Burgess played both JLT Series games while Day, who has played 110 AFL games, didn’t feature in either.

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Michael Rischitelli: He has played 236 AFL games over a 15-year career at the top level but Rischitelli’s looks to be making way for the new generation of players Gold Coast have been busy developing.

The 33-year-old shifted from the midfield to the backline in 2018 before signing a one-year contract extension that will tie him to the club until the end of 2019.

Gold Coast Suns training at Riverway Stadium. Michael Rischitelli. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Rischitelli’s experience and knowledge made him a valuable tool for coach Stuart Dew, particularly when the likes of halfback Pearce Hanley went down with injury.

But the rise of Charlie Ballard and health of Hanley and others mean Rischitelli will likely help the club’s youngest players develop through the NEAFL while providing depth to their midfield and defensive stocks.

Sean Lemmens: Lemmens has become a useful utility for the Suns, starting his career out in the backline before enjoying a shift to forward under Stuart Dew.

The 24-year-old played 20 games in 2017 but was held to just 10 last year after suffering a hamstring injury in the JLT series before fracturing his wrist upon his return.

Lemmens is expected to be out for around another six weeks after undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle, suffered in the final seconds of Gold Coast’s JLT win over the Western Bulldogs.

Sean Lemmens of the Suns runs the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers at Metricon Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Gold Coast’s forward and backlines are relatively healthy, with many also able to spend time in the midfield.

Lemmens hasn’t got the midfield experience of others and will be playing catch-up when he returns.

But the South Australian doesn’t need to panic, he is signed until the end of 2021 and has more than enough time to get back into the best 22.